Most commercial gyms are chocked full of gadgets laden with knobs, pulleys and buttons that most newbies don't know squat about begin using properly. Similarly, TV fitness gurus are all over the tube, hocking the latest in fitness gimmickry that eventually makes its way into the health clubs. Sadly, a majority of these devices don't offer the gym rat much in the way of functionality. An exception is the Smith Machine.
History
Iconic health and fitness advocate Jack La Lanne had built a similar contraption to what would become the modern Smith Machine in the 1950s. Bodybuilder Rudy Smith liked the machine but felt it could be improved upon, so he had a copy built to his specs, which he set up in a Los Angeles. The machine became a hit with gym members, and once word got around, several health club chains were inquiring about getting their own Smith machine.
How it Works
The "barbell" of the Smith is counterbalanced to ensure the bar's smooth glide down each vertical slider. Some Smith designs also use a simple pulley system that allows users to manipulate the bar with ease. Nearly all are designed with their frames built at a gradual slant, which enlarges the base and adds to the machine's stability considerably. Many feature added safety blocks than can be secured at certain points on the vertical sliders that lock the bar from falling onto the user.
Pros
The Smith Machine was designed to give gym-goers the beneficial workout of free-weights but provide the safety of a machine. Exercises that bear heavy loads, such as front/back squats, bench press and seated shoulder presses, often require the assistance of a spotter. Smith Machines allow the lifter the freedom and confidence to be his own spotter by using any of the numerous bar rests next to the vertical sliders. If a load weight becomes unbearable, the user can simply rotate his wrists to settle the bar into the rest.
Cons
While there's no argument concerning a Smith's safety benefit, many argue that since the weight load is safely housed in the frame, the added recruitment of certain stability muscle fibers cannot come into play, thus making the user "weaker." Critics also say the angled frame makes proper exercise form difficult and understates the importance of form. Because of its design, the Smith machine disallows powerlifting staples such as the clean-and-jerk and snatch, and popular gym exercises like bicep curls and standing military presses.
Warning
Before trying any exercise on a Smith Machine, ask a qualified health club staff member for a demonstration of the movements that can safely be performed on the machine. Do not overload the bar with a weight you are unaccustomed to simply because of the safety features of the machine.
Tags: Smith Machine, health club, vertical sliders